I'm aware Aweb runs on Linux - check out my user number and you'll see I've been around a long time (I think I received the first copy of the prudent surfer back in '96, or was it '97).
I think finance professionals generally do have a blind spot where Linux and open source is concerned and feel they should be made more aware of the possibilities (and pitfalls) of a world without microsoft software - perhaps Aweb could (should?) take the lead here.
There are choices, as the explosive growth in Netbook sales have demonstrated.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Neither Asus which has shipped more than a million devices running Linux, nor Acer would have been able to announce their new low cost machines without being confident that Microsoft would continue to support the operating system. <<<<<<<<<<<<
Asus launched on Linux!!!!!! And some of the others will too (MSI, Dell, I think).
And anyway the version of XP being used is XP home - which is no good if you want to use a netbook to connect to a domain in ,say, a business environment.
How does the use of open source tools put anything back into IT?
Surely you are taking something out by using free tools developed by others for profit.... unless of course you intend to provide a downloadable GPLd version of the software which is free to use on site.
Still not convinced >>A browser isn't sufficient because people don't just want to view their data, they want to play around with it as well - filter it, sort it, add things up etc. and for that you need Excel.<< You don't NEED excel, there are alternatives, browser based if required, especially if you are talking pivot table style analysis (there are some very nice open source tools out there if you care to look).
>> Also, if you use Excel it's very easy to customise reports for each individual manager by bringing through only the data that concerns them << Again you don't NEED excel and a fat client to do this. Its just one approach, and a not particularly secure one.
Learn SQL If you want to be able to extract info from any SQL database then imho you need to know the underlying principles - therefore you need to know SQL and how to write queries correctly. Access and other visual query builders are usually no substitute for doing things the hard way - especially if the schema is complex and the info is spread accross svereral linked tables. Just my two cents....
My answers
Use FOSS
>>
Tools and techniques to help your business survive the recession
<<
Use free and open source software and avoid the Microsoft tax (currently 15-20% on UMPCs)
Agreed
John,
Thanks for the clarification.
I'm aware Aweb runs on Linux - check out my user number and you'll see I've been around a long time (I think I received the first copy of the prudent surfer back in '96, or was it '97).
I think finance professionals generally do have a blind spot where Linux and open source is concerned and feel they should be made more aware of the possibilities (and pitfalls) of a world without microsoft software - perhaps Aweb could (should?) take the lead here.
There are choices, as the explosive growth in Netbook sales have demonstrated.
Martyn
Sorry?
John,
What do you mean when you say
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Neither Asus which has shipped more than a million devices running Linux, nor Acer would have been able to announce their new low cost machines without being confident that Microsoft would continue to support the operating system.
<<<<<<<<<<<<
Asus launched on Linux!!!!!! And some of the others will too (MSI, Dell, I think).
And anyway the version of XP being used is XP home - which is no good if you want to use a netbook to connect to a domain in ,say, a business environment.
The Linux versions have no such problems and the user environment is good, if not better than Windows as they are optimised for these machines. Ubuntu remix will improve things further: http://www.ubuntu.com/news/netbook-remix
http://www.engadget.com/photos/canonical-makes-ubuntu-netbook-remix-official-at-computex/836966/
Oh, and there is the thorny issue that the XP machines either cost more, or have smaller drives to account for the microsoft tax.
You don't mention any of the issues which makes me wonder... do the AWeb editors have a blind spot on Linux?
Martyn
XP is an "upgrade"?
Why are you describing XP as an upgrade exactly?
Alternative, yes. Upgrade, I don't think so.
Martyn
How does using OS tools put anything back?
Nigel
I'm confused.
How does the use of open source tools put anything back into IT?
Surely you are taking something out by using free tools developed by others for profit.... unless of course you intend to provide a downloadable GPLd version of the software which is free to use on site.
Martyn
Still not convinced
>>A browser isn't sufficient because people don't just want to view their
data, they want to play around with it as well - filter it, sort it, add
things up etc. and for that you need Excel.<<
You don't NEED excel, there are alternatives, browser based if required, especially if you are talking pivot table style analysis (there are some very nice open source tools out there if you care to look).
>> Also, if you use Excel it's very easy to customise reports for each individual manager by bringing through only the data that concerns them
<<
Again you don't NEED excel and a fat client to do this. Its just one approach, and a not particularly secure one.
Not so fast there....
"Because this is what Microsoft has decided"
I think I'll do the opposite then!
Seriously, though - why not deliver ALL corporate info through a browser based system?
More secure as data is held centrally;
No need for retraining since most people can use a browser;
No need to pay the MS tax (windows+office);
Browser stats
So what are AccountingWeb's latest browser stats?
Perhaps this is the reason
Maybe this guy has hit the nail on the head
http://raedwald.blogspot.com/2007/08/labours-fantasy-reforms-in-wake-of.html
Learn SQL
If you want to be able to extract info from any SQL database then imho you need to know the underlying principles - therefore you need to know SQL and how to write queries correctly. Access and other visual query builders are usually no substitute for doing things the hard way - especially if the schema is complex and the info is spread accross svereral linked tables. Just my two cents....